TYLER â Dr. Barbara Hass, dean of UTTâs school of nursing, was appointed onto a state committee to address the nursing shortage. According to our news partner KETK, the purpose for this committee was to review and amend the definitions of the Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program in the Texas Administrative Code, so that the program will be better equipped to adapt to evolving healthcare needs. UTT said that the committee is comprised of 19 representatives from community colleges, public health-related institutions, the hospital industry, public technical colleges, independent institutions and public universities. The United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast said in 2019 that a shortage of registered nurses was projected to increase throughout the country through the year 2030, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 193,000 openings for registered nurses each year through 2032 with retirements and workforce exits factored. Continue reading UT Tyler dean of nursing appointed to state committee
David Ranckenâs App of the Day 04/10/24 â Layla!
Leaders talk new courthouse, jail improvements
SMITH COUNTY — With a theme of âBreaking Ground,â Smith County leaders met Tuesday to address the ever-growing region at the annual State of the County, according to our news partner KETK. Nearly 500 people gathered at Green Acres Baptist Church for Smith Countyâs 2024 state of the county, highlighting construction plans and new partnerships like at the county jail.
âWe continue to work with entities, weâre working with the city of Tyler and then the other cities within the county so I think this unity that weâre seeing now is going to be nothing but movement forward, and itâs really going to be exciting,â Smith County Judge Neal Franklin said. Continue reading Leaders talk new courthouse, jail improvements
Schools announce delays due to weather
TYLER â East Texas schools are announcing school closures and delays for Wednesday morning due to complications of weather, power outages and flooding. The full list can be found on our news partner KETK’s website.
Passerby rescues woman out of vehicle in âhigh waterâ
CHEROKEE COUNTY â Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson said a woman has been rescued from a vehicle after getting stuck in high water on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK the the woman was helped out of her car on FM 855 by a passerby and first responders are working on getting her vehicle out of the water. The Cherokee County Sheriff Dickson said the woman is safe. The Smith County Water Rescue was reportedly at the scene.
KETK has been following flooding and fallen trees obstructing roadways as storms pass through East Texas on Tuesday and expected to continue through Wednesday. People can find a full list here.
Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East boat ramps temporarily closed
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SMITH COUNTY – Because of heavy rain, the City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. The ramps are being closed due to boating hazards resulting from debris washed into the lakes by the recent rains and to reduce damage from shoreline erosion caused by boat wakes. In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents The ramps are closed until further notice. TWU anticipates reopening the ramps once the lake levels recede.
68-year-old woman dies in Tyler house fire
TYLER â A Tuesday morning house fire near Caldwell Zoo, led to the death of a 68-year-old woman and a dog according to our news partners at KETK. According to a release, Mynetta Gilstrap, 68, died after being transported to a local hospital. Tyler FD was dispatched to a house fire at 1713 W Mims Street near the Caldwell Zoo at 9:51 a.m. The initial call reportedly indicated that flames could be seen from the front of the house. Firefighters arrived to the house were they began containing the fire and began a search, locating Gilstrap and a deceased dog. The fire was suppressed at 10:28 a.m. and officials continue to investigate the cause.
East Texas road closings due to flooding
SMITH COUNTY â Authorities across East Texas are urging drivers to use caution before getting on the roads. Storms began appearing Monday night and will continue into late Wednesday evening. According to our news partner KETK, these are the counties and roads affected.
Smith County: Officials with Smith County said that CR 463, also known as Wood Springs Road under I-20, and 370 have water over the roadways. Reports have that SH-31 to Longview has several spots where the road is covered with water. Tyler Water Utilities had temporarily closed all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.
Continue reading East Texas road closings due to flooding
CHRISTUS announces a new facility in Henderson
HENDERSON â CHRISTUS announced that they are moving forward with the development of a new emergency center in Henderson. According to our news partner KETK, CHRISTUS will be holding a groundbreaking celebration on April 23 at 10:30 a.m. at a seven acre site south of Wylie Elementary School on Highway 259. The new facility will feature around the clock emergency services with 17 beds, 13 exam rooms, four triage rooms, state-of-the-art full service imaging and onsite laboratory services. The project is scheduled to start construction in late spring and is projected to be completed in the second half of 2025. âWe are passionate about increasing access to health care for patients across East Texas,â Chris Glenney, senior vice president for group operations of CHRISTUS Northeast Texas said. âHenderson is a key area for growth in East Texas, and we know there is a need for patients to access the exceptional health care we provide.â Continue reading CHRISTUS announces a new facility in Henderson
More than 23K without power in East Texas
TYLER â With severe weather and storms continuing to move through East Texas, about 23,700 customers are without power as of 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Our news partner KETK had a list of counties with power outages noted from ONCOR, SWEPCO and other electric co-ops. You can find that list here.
David Ranckenâs App of the Day 04/09/24 â Picsart!
Smith County roads under water
SMITH COUNTY — Sections of Smith County Road 463, also known as Wood Springs Road under Interstate 20, and CR 370 have water over the roadways, according to county officials. Smith County Road and Bridge crews are out clearing downed trees, but none have been reported blocking the entire road to cause a closure. Drivers are reminded to not drive through high water crossings.
Longview man arrested by US Marshals with drugs
LONGVIEW â The Longview Police Department said a man was arrested for an active warrant and drugs like methamphetamine, marijuana and Xanax were found after a search. According to our news partner KETK, Derek Elam, 49, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals in conjunction with the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, Longview Police Special Investigation Apprehension and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. Longview PD said a search of the motel room at Knights Inn uncovered 422 grams of counterfeit Adderall, 108 grams of methamphetamines, 43 grams of Xanax, 8 grams of cocaine, 7 grams of ecstasy, 7 grams of marijuana and 2 grams of hydrocodone.
Smith County Jail inmate dies following medical emergency
SMITH COUNTY â The Smith County Sheriffâs Office said a female inmate died Sunday morning. In a release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the inmate, Tanya Williams experienced a medical emergency that morning around 6 a.m. Williams was taken to a local hospital where she later died. The sheriffâs office said Texas Rangers were notified, and will conduct an investigation, which is standard procedure. An autopsy was also ordered. The release also stated Williams was arrested Thursday on drug charges.
Shelby County man charged in livestock theft
SHELBY COUNTY â A Shelby County man is pending trial after being charged with livestock theft and exploiting an elderly man according to our news partner KETK. According to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), Danny Matthew Wright was arrested after he reportedly stole cattle from his employer, an elderly Shelby County resident. âWith assistance from Shelby County Constables, Josh Tipton and Taylor Fanguy, the team discovered the identification of a stolen cow through a brand registered to the victim,â TSCRA said. Wright was indicted by a grand jury on the charges, and was arrested on Jan. 5 before he was released a few days later. Wright is currently pending trial.